How many players can play Drillers?

Drillers supports 1 to 4 players.

How long does a game of Drillers take?

A typical game of Drillers takes approximately 120 minutes.

What are the best video reviews of Drillers?

MindForge has curated 56 video reviews of Drillers from top board game content creators.

Drillers - Board Game

Video DX1QOWhLpKE BoardGameCo Analysis at 7:21 sentiment: positive

video_pk 121332 · mention_pk 348212

Click to watch at 7:21 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I'm going to try to film three videos today if I can.
The problem is I direct as I go. My feet are directing the shot.
The biggest problem is I don't want to push myself to film a game earlier than I'm ready to.
The problem is you take on too much at once and it all becomes a blur as you try to keep up with just too many too many things, too many balls that you're juggling all at the same time.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video aCV1Ea_i-Zw Stonemaier Games Analysis at 0:04 sentiment: positive

video_pk 119397 · mention_pk 336233

Click to watch at 0:04 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Favorite mechanism is the control panel interface, which is fun to look at but not overly complex.
The control panel shows most of the game's actions in one place.
The game feels more organic due to the control panel design.
Gaining a card and having it go to the top of a face-up deck allows for predictable draws and manipulation.
Ability to hold cards between turns allows for saving cards for future turns and drawing more cards next turn.
The game combines mechanisms like deck building and drones.

Cons

none

Thematic elements

controlling a mech to drill, mine, and sell crystals
underground

Comparison games

Arc Nova

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

action selection — Players dig out new action spaces by drilling.
Deck Building — Players improve their deck by selling crystals and refueling.
Engine Building — Upgrading fuel capacity and crystal capacity to improve efficiency.
Resource Management — Resources gained from cards are shown on tracks and must be spent by the end of the turn. Fuel is also a resource.
Set Collection — Collecting crystals to sell for victory points.
Worker placement (implied) — Sending a mech underground to dig out action spaces.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

my favorite mechanism in the game is the control panel.
It's all in one place. It shows you most of what you do in the game just in this in this one uh interface.
just the way it's designed a little more organically makes it feel like you actually are sitting in front of a control panel drilling and digging down underground.
when you gain a card, it goes to the top of your deck. And the top of the card of your deck is face up. So, you can only see what you can only see what card is coming, which means that in the chances where you have to actually draw a card, you aren't drawing randomly. You know exactly what you are going to get from the top of your deck.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video tsQlf-HC8yI The Dice Tower Review at 0:24 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 119392 · mention_pk 336212

Click to watch at 0:24 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

Engaging deck building with a lean deck strategy
Satisfying player dashboard and component upgrades
Visually appealing with good art
Thematic integration
Interesting player influence and decisions
The mechanic of drilling through the floor and the mech falling to the next level is thematic and satisfying

Cons

Potential for significant downtime due to long turns
Difficulty in understanding card values and optimal purchasing decisions
Unevenness of turns where one player takes a long, significant turn followed by surfacing actions
Concerns about the game-ending bonus tile for the player who triggers the end game, potentially leading to unlosable situations
Component issue with certain colored cubes blending together, making them hard to distinguish

Thematic elements

operating old drillers to extract resources and gain victory points
mines

Comparison games

Lost Ruins of Arnak
June Imperium
Clank

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Card Drafting (implied) — The market for new cards can be seen as a form of drafting, where players select cards to add to their decks.
Deck Building — Players start with a basic deck of cards and acquire new, better cards from a market to improve their abilities.
Push Your Luck — There's an element of risk-taking, particularly when deciding how long to stay in the mines, which can lead to negative points if not managed carefully.
Resource Management — Players collect various resources from drilling and must manage fuel, storage space, and currency to perform actions and acquire upgrades.
Set Collection — Collecting sets of resources or gems is a way to score points and trigger game-end conditions.
Worker placement (implied) — Drones can be sent to perform actions, suggesting a form of indirect worker placement or action delegation.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

It's not rules complex of what can I do. It's complex in what should I do?
The core of the game is staying down in the mine, right? And getting those resources in order to be able to sell them, to get the money, to get the upgrades.
I'm a math guy to some degree and when I get deck building games or any games like these, I usually like to look and say what's the most expensive card? What's the cheapest card? What are these cards? I for the life of me can't figure out the math in this game.
My favorite rule in the game is when you mine through the floor, your mech then falls to the next level.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video -Zvv0XWC8HA Bower's Game Corner Top List at 1:22 sentiment: positive

video_pk 119373 · mention_pk 336157

Click to watch at 1:22 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Believe the hype

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Combo-tastic — if you like combo-tastic games.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Ah, Gen Con spin over for about a month now and I'm going to tell you the five games from Gen Con 2022 and 2026 that I'm never going to have leave my collection.
It's like Chinese Checkers, but with cool special abilities and you draft these characters at the beginning and it's fantastic.
I don't know a single dang thing about Critical Role. Never watched in my life, don't really care, don't role-play much, but dang it, this is the definitive version of Codenames.
This thing is going to sell millions upon millions upon millions of units.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 2K5h2FFdtg0 Board Games UnLocked Review at 0:17 sentiment: positive

video_pk 118454 · mention_pk 333977

Click to watch at 0:17 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Doesn't disappoint
All cards that can be added to the deck are incredibly good
Cards are unique
Incredibly easy to learn and play
Kept entertained the entire time
Works well at all player counts, including solo
Fast-paced gameplay
Creative freedom in turns
Not starved for fuel or resources
Good pace
Interesting art
Solid component quality from CGE

Cons

Could potentially be a tight resource management game, but isn't
Not very interactive beyond taking minerals
Game might be forgotten if not supported with expansions
Not color-blind friendly (green and yellow cubes are very close)
Translucent cubes can trick even fully sighted players

Thematic elements

Drilling for resources

Comparison games

Sanctum
Lost Ruins of Arnak
Galaxy Truckers
Project L

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Players start with the same deck and can add cards to it. All cards that can be added are described as 'OP' (overpowered) and incredibly good for the player's strategy. There's also a mention of passive upgrade cards instead of cards that just go into the deck.
Resource Management — Players mine and sell minerals. The game could have been a tight resource management game, but it offers flexibility. Players can also use cards as fuel for actions.
Set Collection (implied) — Collecting different colored cubes (minerals) and potentially specific tiles seems to be a key way to score points.
Simultaneous Play — The game involves players doing everything at the same time, which makes the game move quickly.
Tile Placement (implied) — Players drill through floors and place cards to the right of the board, affecting gameplay based on the level.
Worker placement (implied) — Players send 'drones' up to sell resources, which implies a form of worker placement or action selection related to resource delivery.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

My favorite thing about the whole game is every card that you can add to your deck is, you know, quote unquote OP.
It's incredibly easy to learn. uh and easy to play.
This game kept me entertained the entire time I was playing.
The biggest chunk of points came from the minerals, uh, victory points at the end.
It does a really good job of allowing you to not get lost in all those actions.
It has a really good uh pace to it.
It's just fun, snappy, you know, it's it's easy to teach, you know.
I really like the art on it as well.
The cubes like it's this is not a color friendly game a color a color blind friendly game uh

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video SfYUMMWeLJA BoardGameGeek Discussion at 11:26 sentiment: neutral

video_pk 117847 · mention_pk 332591

Click to watch at 11:26 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

neutral

Pros

none

Cons

Can be a long playthrough

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

It's a tough problem to have, right? But it is it is hard.
I cannot stand this stuff. It really is dumb.
I don't know if that's going to be successful anymore.
It's pretty terrifying.
It's a lot of stuff. So, you don't need to have all that stuff.
I have so many CDs, so I really don't have a real idea of what I would pick.
It is really good stuff. I don't have I hadn't had a lot of experience with the um, the speed paints, the Army Painter speed paints.
It's not the greatest. I've definitely painted, you know, more detailed and stuff, but it really depends on what you're trying to do.
We just witnessed it all just get completely mowed over.
It's not the mall was standing unused. It's was ridiculous.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video dYuUh4LS7mI Man vs Meeple Discussion at 6:05 sentiment: positive

video_pk 114575 · mention_pk 326767

Click to watch at 6:05 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Really fun
Rewarding and generous turns

Cons

Can take longer with four players who think a lot

Thematic elements

Digging and drilling for minerals
Mine

Comparison games

Clank
Lost Ruins of...

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — To say it's a deck builder is only part of the story.
Digging/Drilling — You're you're you're digging and drilling down into this sort of like mine.
resource collection — Collecting minerals, going back up, selling those minerals, buying new cards to do all of that better.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Gen Con is in our rear view mirror, but the games of Gen Con live on.
Driller sold out twice.
It is gorgeous.
It is a pretty thinky puzzly game.
To say it's a deck builder is only part of the story.
It is really, really fun.
The mechanic in this game is called a Dutch auction, which is not something I was really aware of before.
This game is very much about timing.
It's basically a standalone expansion.
The Arththeran mythos is I love it.
But SNK is super cool cuz it's like a fun niche sort of vibe.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video mWFE8RW7zKQ BoardGameCo Discussion at 9:41 sentiment: positive

video_pk 112593 · mention_pk 324190

Click to watch at 9:41 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Loved it, excellent game, gave an excellent gameplay experience.

Cons

Needs more content and needs it relatively quickly.
Limited replayability in its current state.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

SETI
Lost Ruins of Arnak
Kutner Horror
Deal with the Devil

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Honestly, it really is an interesting deep dive that I almost want to do a full video on it because it kind of talks about the nature of how the industry has changed over the years or over how a distributor publisher relationship has changed over what it takes to make a game stand out and be popular and be received and the the unfortunate and fortunate reality. It kind of is both.
Crowdfunding to a large extent is both a glorified pre-order, a marketing system, and a way to bring games to life. It's a little bit of everything.
I will say I really enjoyed it. I thought they did a great job with the various uh, leverage and options you have to control things.
Ironically, my least favorite part of it is the monolith itself.
I think Drillers is excellent.
I think the Hive expansion is really really well done, but I need to play it more because right now I'm still feeling stifled by whether I can do enough in the game.
Oh my gosh, I think this might be my favorite way to play Tend, but that is said after game one.
I think it's so good. I think it's a really, really good game. I love the puzzle of it, and I want to put it back on my table now.
Get rid of games that you are not sure about. Every once in a while you will need to get one back. Don't worry about it. Is well worth it.
I will always pick a game that is accessible and easier to dive into over a game that requires a homework assignment to dive into.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video JSshjnOaGU8 BoardGameCo Review at 0:02 sentiment: positive

video_pk 111561 · mention_pk 321126

Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Gorgeous art and great components.
Satisfying impact of every action and card.
Multiple strategic paths available.
Reliably under two hours playtime.
Quick teach time.
Feels like a solid starting point for the game's potential.

Cons

Not enough content; decks can run out.
Needs more cards for greater variability.
The 'down and up' loop might bother some players.
Starting with negative points can be off-putting.
Cards bought late game do not provide points.

Thematic elements

Gathering gems by drilling deeper into the mine
mines

Comparison games

Arnak
Super Motherload

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

action selection — Players choose actions from their hand of cards or use default actions on their player board.
card drafting/buying — Players can buy new cards to add to their deck, some of which go on top of the deck.
Deck Building — Players build a deck of cards to gather resources and perform actions.
Deck Trashing/Weeding — Players can spend credits to remove starting cards (which have negative points) from their deck to make it more efficient.
Movement — Players use movement points generated by cards to move their mech deeper into the mine.
Pick-Up and Deliver — Players pick up gems in the mine and deliver them back to the surface.
Resource Management — Players manage fuel, drill points, and movement points to perform actions.
Tableau Building — Players build up their personal player board or 'tableau' with upgraded mechs and acquired cards.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Every single thing in this game is so impactful, and you feel like you you want to do everything.
The things you do do feel incredibly cool.
There's not enough content for the game. There's just not enough content.
I feel this is like I feel it's a really really really really well done starting point for what drillers can become.
I'm coming in at a 4.5 out of five.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video X63DtvKczxY BoardGameCo News at 7:52 sentiment: positive

video_pk 108861 · mention_pk 314349

Click to watch at 7:52 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Phenomenal (based on one play)

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I think this game is objectively bad, but I also objectively have fun playing it.
The biggest flaw of Excalibur is I don't think the first four-fifths of the game matter. I think the only thing that matters is the last two to three turns in the game.
The problem with playing so many games is you always want to keep the good ones, but then you play the better ones and you want to keep the better ones and you realize you should probably shouldn't keep the good ones. But then you play the best ones and you realize you probably shouldn't keep the better ones or the good ones. You should only keep and play the best ones.
It's the Lego of skirmish space battles.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video X63DtvKczxY BoardGameCo News at 11:17 sentiment: positive

video_pk 108861 · mention_pk 314356

Click to watch at 11:17 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Fantastic first play

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I think this game is objectively bad, but I also objectively have fun playing it.
The biggest flaw of Excalibur is I don't think the first four-fifths of the game matter. I think the only thing that matters is the last two to three turns in the game.
The problem with playing so many games is you always want to keep the good ones, but then you play the better ones and you want to keep the better ones and you realize you should probably shouldn't keep the good ones. But then you play the best ones and you realize you probably shouldn't keep the better ones or the good ones. You should only keep and play the best ones.
It's the Lego of skirmish space battles.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video ggaiQjD2olw The Dice Tower Discussion at 27:25 sentiment: positive

video_pk 108857 · mention_pk 314314

Click to watch at 27:25 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Gen Con is just a buying convention.
If that's what you get out of Gen Con, I think you're doing it wrong.
There is more to Gen Con than just the exhibitor hall.
Getting there early also it's kind of like the calm before the storm.
It's really good. It's really good.
The whole thing is seeing designers These designers are fantastic.
It's so great to see. And year after year you get to see different designers.
Cosplayers this year did not disappoint.
My watch would die because I had done so many steps each day.
It's fantastic. So anyway, exhibit hall was fantastic as usual.
The games kind of I'm like oh, like you know, whatever. But, I don't even mind what they play. But, I love to play together, something together.
The food trucks And then also Steak 'n Shake.
Swing for the fences. Give me weird.
The games were great this year.
You know what? There's no judgement.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video JnKs8JrpPog Board Stupid Top List at 2:53 sentiment: positive

video_pk 107981 · mention_pk 311772

Click to watch at 2:53 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

So, Gen Con is the second biggest board game convention on the planet.
It makes something that um the number one spiel doesn't have that is like a massive gaming space. There is a literally a stadium where people can sit down.
And interestingly about Gen Con this year of course uh there are way more releases it feels like this year than in prior years.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video JnKs8JrpPog Board Stupid Top List at 48:17:20 sentiment: positive

video_pk 107981 · mention_pk 311766

Click to watch at 48:17:20 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Return to mid-ground complexity for CGE
Approachable for a larger audience
Interesting theme of mechs in post-apocalyptic mines
Cool mech upgrade system
Flexible card usage for movement, drilling, and combos
Strategic depth with visible top deck card
Dynamic map with event cards

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Diving for treasure in abandoned mines and upgrading mechs
Post-apocalypse, underground mines

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Players can buy cards at the market using mined gems to improve their actions and combos.
Resource Management — Players mine gems to buy cards and manage fuel while diving.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

So, Gen Con is the second biggest board game convention on the planet.
It makes something that um the number one spiel doesn't have that is like a massive gaming space. There is a literally a stadium where people can sit down.
And interestingly about Gen Con this year of course uh there are way more releases it feels like this year than in prior years.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video Ekj9tbN9wt0 TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Review at 0:14 sentiment: positive

video_pk 107792 · mention_pk 311411

Click to watch at 0:14 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Great art on cards.
Purchased cards go to the top of the deck, allowing for immediate use or planning.
Ability to keep cards for future turns mitigates luck.
Multi-use cards create an efficiency puzzle.
Satisfying engine building arc.
Managing fuel economy is a key enjoyable aspect.
Permanent cards provide ongoing abilities.
Hodgepodge of mechanics from other games like Arnak, Clank, and Cold Baron.

Cons

Better with fewer players; more players lead to more downtime and board state changes.
Can be AP prone due to the need to re-evaluate turns when the board state changes.
Can be too mathy for some players.
Indirect interaction can lead to players taking desired resources.
Can outstay its welcome with four players.

Thematic elements

Mining for gems
An abandoned mine

Comparison games

Lost Ruins of Arnak
Arnak
Clank
Cold Baron

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Players start with a deck of cards and buy new cards to improve their deck. Purchased cards go to the top of the deck for immediate or next-turn use.
Engine Building — Players build up their capabilities by acquiring better cards and upgrading player boards, allowing them to perform more powerful actions as the game progresses.
Hand Management — Players can choose to keep cards for future turns, which helps mitigate luck and allows for better planning.
Multi-Use Cards — Cards can often be used for different purposes, such as performing an ability or being spent for fuel, adding a puzzle element.
Resource Management — Players manage fuel, drilling power, and movement power, with fuel acting as a currency that can be spent for actions or to gain more fuel.
Set Collection — Collecting different gems and selling them contributes to money and end-game goals.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

So, it's like an efficiency puzzle of the fuel and deciding which cards to play for what or even if to play certain cards or to save them. It's a it's probably the best part about this game in my opinion.
So, it's it's kind of like a a hodgepodge of those three games. Granted, it's a very different game from all three of those, but those are if you probably the best way to describe this if you're familiar with those games, kind of feels like those three games all in one game, if you will.
Well, first of all, like most Euro games, this game is better with less players uh for a few reasons.
So, you're doing all this math like, 'Oh, I have just enough fuel. Oh, you know what? I'm one drill short, but I do have four fuel left. I'll spend that last.'

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video rPuUdaZJ__E The Dice Tower Top List at 9:41 sentiment: positive

video_pk 106686 · mention_pk 308183

Click to watch at 9:41 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Chris loved it and said the reviewer would love it
Ticks all the boxes

Cons

Did not have a chance to play it personally before the convention

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

uh they have Forbidden Legacy, which I'm excited to play.
Um yeah, so it's a new Sushi Go Party game that has all new cards.
So it is tons of fun. I gave it, you know, big astounding review.
My number one is not a specific booth. It is an area. Um that's because I try to find a new one in this area each year and this is Artist Alley as well.
Uh I just released. It is the new expansion to Marvel Champions is out now.
And it has Daredevil in it, finally.
The other character is Echo. It's looks really cool, too.
And it took me 2 years to make it over to Lucas Oil Stadium. I finally made it last year.
You know, and that's like a whole 'nother section of Gen Con, you know.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 8hfEZ7A4v-M BoardGameGeek Top List at 15:36 sentiment: positive

video_pk 106685 · mention_pk 308177

Click to watch at 15:36 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Personally most looking forward to it
CGE makes games they like
Cool game with mechs drilling and mining
Asymmetric units
Unlocking shared infrastructure
Great look and art
CGE has been on a run

Cons

Rumored to be the final game from this designer/team at CGE.

Thematic elements

Mechs drilling and mining
Underground mining

Comparison games

Deep Rock Galactic

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Asymmetric Player Powers — Individual mech units have different powers.
Card Play — Players play cards as part of their actions.
Resource Management — Players mine resources which can then be sold for profit.
Shared infrastructure — Unlocked systems become available to all players.
Tech Tree / Unlocking — As players go down, they unlock new technologies and systems.
Worker placement (implied) — Using mech units to drill and mine suggests a form of worker placement.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

It's time for Gen Con, baby.
Gen Con and Essen two big times of the year.
This is specifically what people want to get at Gen Con.
This is not a guarantee that all these will be available, but as as far as we are aware, these should be at Gen Con
So, this is the things that people are going to be rushing to pick up.
Yeah. So, this is going to be an easier, quicker version to get to the table.
I feel like this game is going to blow up.
It's really cool. It's got great art and stuff.
Yeah, it really is a game that moves quickly.
I do love a good metagame.
It's so meta and stuff, but it's also like a cool game. It's not just a gimmick, right?
It's one of those things where it's like, let's take like Duel for Cardia is another like two-player card dueling game. I'm not really into card dueling games. It's just not my kind of game. But I want to play these games cuz I like to play them and go like, "Oh yeah, that's not for me, but oh, I get why people like this."
And now having a solo mode, that's probably gonna bring a whole new generation of people in.
This is probably my personal game I'm most looking forward to at Gen Con.
CGE's been on a run, you know, for the last several years.
It's like, yeah, yeah. You know, a billion billion copies as they should because it's only this big anyway.
It's a smaller um slightly more streamlined version of Wingspan.
If it's quicker and easier to set up, it's just easier to table.
Yeah. And that means I'll play it more, which is always good.
I love this concept of a game where it's like you're setting up a layer. I'm going to put traps in fish things for you to discover.
The word is out and now we are are also feverishly I hope they excited a ton of them at Gen Con.
Entropy by Board and Dice, who just kind of make games for us apparently.
It's just right in our wheelhouse. It's just our wheelhouse.
This is an era right now where it's like flora and fauna on other planets.
I always I really enjoy rondell's. I like rondell's a lot.
This is the game that most people.
So, that is the most wanted game.
Make sure to go hit those thumbs up for games that seem interesting in there.
If you're going to Gen Con, down in the comments below, let us know what you're trying to pick up.
Cuz that's when we're going to be picking these games.
It's time for Gen Con, baby. Gen Con.
We're gonna talk about the People Choice most wanted games at Gen Con.
I hear the expansion's amazing but I was like well I need the base game too and they don't have the base game.
The art and look and it's so great it's so appealing and this kind of game where now you're in a dungeon but it's going to have that beautiful kind of colorful painterly cartoony style just like makes absolute sense
It's just our wheelhouse.
I feel like this is an era right now where it's like flora and fauna on other planets.
I love rondell's. I like rondell's a lot.
I love stuff where you're getting pulled in different directions like that.
It just seems very good.
So, that is the most wanted game. Um, again, this is Yeah, exactly. This is the people's choice. It's your guys's choice.

References (from this video)

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Video pFGoZ5Ff7lM Rob's Gaming Table Top List at 78:09:24 sentiment: positive

video_pk 106484 · mention_pk 307824

Click to watch at 78:09:24 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Combines mechanics like Clank and Lost Ruins of Arnak
Interesting deck building aspect (face-up deck)
Dual layer cardboard
Strategic decisions with tile collection and spending
Looks cool, has mechs and cool board
Likely fun to stream

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Deck building, drilling into the earth, upgrading mechs, competing for gems.
Players share a common drilling shaft, affecting each other's progress.

Comparison games

Clank
Lost Ruins of Arnak

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Players build and manage their decks of cards.
Dual Layer Player Boards — Player mats have two layers for resource management.
Shared Board — Players share a common board, similar to Clank.
Worker placement (implied) — Managing drones and sending them back to the surface suggests worker placement elements.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This game is funny. This game is awesome. I laughed so hard. I had tears coming out of my eyes. This is like the first game out of all the games we played today that actually made me laugh.
I had to stop the recording because my mic kept on picking up my laughter.
I can't wait to play it again. I love this game. Dead Monkey. Bye-bye.
The coolest part is going there and finding games you had no freaking idea that existed and that you would like and you just see them on the in the exhibit hall floor or in the gaming hall being demoed or just some random people on the floor in the hall of a hotel playing some cool ass game they just got there and you're like what's that? I want that. Where'd you get that?

References (from this video)

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Video 5pQsPg0RCGM Meeple University Other at 5:31 sentiment: positive

video_pk 106032 · mention_pk 305673

Click to watch at 5:31 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

deck builder
can see the top card of your deck
upgrade deck and actions
retro mech aesthetic

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Mechs mining and drilling for minerals
Mining

Comparison games

Clank

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — This is a deck builder.
Engine Building — Very much in that deck builder engine for something else.
Resource Management — Cash all of your minerals in for money and then you spend that money to upgrade your deck and your actions and your fuel gauge and so on.
Visible Deck — You can see the top card of your deck.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Welcome to our Gen Con recommended games 2026. The games that we have actually played and recommend you to demo or buy at Gen Con 2026.
It's combotastic.
This is my favorite games out of the three games.
This is I've never seen anything quite like this.
this is an economy game that is quite mind twisting.
Gives you this real clinky table presence.
Terrible floor presence because the table presence is all these little cone uh tree pieces and so you don't want that. Once that's on the floor, that's bad news.
we always have fun throwing um rubber balls to try to destroy opponent's castle.

References (from this video)

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Video zzrLUjH7pUo Bower's Game Corner Top List at 5:51 sentiment: positive

video_pk 106033 · mention_pk 305688

Click to watch at 5:51 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Liked the theme.
From the designer of the highly-rated Project L.
CGE has a strong track record for successful 'longer games'.

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Project L
Kemet
Ahoy
Settlers

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

area majority influence — Mentioned as a core mechanic of the game.
Area Movement — Mentioned as a core mechanic of the game.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

There's a mystery to solve with Scooby and the gang in the social deduction game.
One of those games you can pick up for 20 bucks and you bring it back and people are like, "Oh my gosh, you pick up the greatest games when you go to Gen Con."
It's so fun.
I know next to nothing about this game, but I am excited.
That looks awesome.
I'm only excited about this for one reason, it's in the tiny box.
It's a game where you are going to rip, crumble, fold, and twist a small piece of paper.
It's really cool. You have this 3D puzzle in front of you that you are looking at, and you are going to be you holding it kind of like a steering wheel, and then picking it up and rotating it 90 degrees.
If you're one of those people who's like, "Yeah, I love trick-taking games. I like trick-taking games and I just have a whole big collection of trick-taking games because all of as long as it does something slightly different."
And you have me at universal expansion.
This side game has the unique ability to impact the other game point-wise and stuff like that.
I love Vampire Survivors.
It's Emerson Matsuuchi, who is quickly moving up the ranks as one of my favorite game designers of all time.
The bottom line is it's two-player Werewolf. I'm just intrigued at that, quite frankly.
We tried it in the press room. We're like, "Wow, this game is super sticky great."
Now there's a version which you don't have to feel gross when a card comes up about.

References (from this video)

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Video X6mBPuVVoDY The Dice Tower Discussion at 16:46 sentiment: positive

video_pk 105888 · mention_pk 305133

Click to watch at 16:46 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

incredible game

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Um let's see here. Phantom Ink is again, I love that game. All Play is releasing a smaller box version of it.
Um Star Trek Space Hunt. This is one that at Dice Tower East is Captain Sonar, but it's Star Trek version, right?
This game is incredible. I'm a huge fan of this game. I'm going to pick up a copy of that.
10 Penny Parks has a collector's edition. Sold.
So, I mean, if you have played Codenames, even if you bounced off of it, if you're like cuz Codenames a lot of people were like very hot and then they're like I won't really play it much. But man, this one is different.
This is one to definitely definitely check out.
but we are looking forward to seeing you at Gen Con. Come by our booth, the Dice Tower booth, which is two What did I say? 249? Two 249.

References (from this video)

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Video EX6ay7pMw5Y Board Gaming Ramblings Unboxing at 19:04 sentiment: positive

video_pk 105366 · mention_pk 303640

Click to watch at 19:04 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

Positive / Eager

Pros

Deck builder with a board
Some unique elements
Excited to dive deeper

Cons

Has familiar deck-building elements

Thematic elements

Robots/Mechs drilling for resources
Underground/Ground

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

board game — It combines deck building with a physical game board.
Card Drafting — Players buy new cards to improve their deck.
deck builder — The core mechanic is building a deck of cards.
Resource Management — Players gather materials and gems to earn money.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I'm scared to play this game.
It sounds horrible because you can like produce stuff, and it nobody will buy it.
Played for 2 and 1/2 hours and got zero points.
It's really nice that All Play got a hold of it and managed to make it a version of the game that was like $39.
I love the box art.
It works surprisingly well.
It's a lot of fun.
It is one of the better word games I've played in a while.
This is kind of the prequel to Phoenix New Horizon.
we have been excited for because we really like First Contact New Horizon
I also love the box cover.
It is a game about animals.
This is a deck builder game where you are a robot.
I have played it once. I'm excited to play it again.
It's a cyberpunk game.
This is a cooperative narrative game.
This game takes interactive storytelling to the next level where your decisions will shape a branching narrative.
This is the cooperative version of Unmatched.
I really like Unmatched and I'm excited to play this one.
I'm excited and a bit unsure to see how I would like the cooperative game because cooperative games aren't usually for me.
Greenville.
Actually, you want to live here it says.
This is a town developing sandbox game with a unique time action system.
I backed it.
I have heard that it has a very interesting art.
I am excited for this. I like a city building game and it sounds like you kind of have to cooperate-ish to build a city but then you have to be the best at it which is great.

References (from this video)

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Video cC9mF45luOk Game Night Picks - Pair Of Dice Paradise Review at 14:21 sentiment: neutral

video_pk 104874 · mention_pk 302579

Click to watch at 14:21 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

neutral

Pros

new opportunities and challenges at each mine level
unlockable mech abilities

Cons

fuel runs low
tight decisions

Thematic elements

mech-powered miners exploring and excavating valuable items
abandoned mine

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Card Collection — Cards are collected to improve drilling and unlock mech potential.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

That's right. It is time for us to throw off the shackles of workaday life and become the greatest board game manufacturer that the world has ever seen.
The Game Makers is, in many ways, a love letter to the board gaming industry.
players continue the journey started in Cascadia to create the most diverse Pacific Northwest environment that they can by drafting new double-hexagon habitat tiles and wildlife tokens to expand their landscape outward and also, get ready for it, ready? Here we go. Upward.
where we find that the local zoo has broken into chaos. All the animals have escaped and now they need us to help them back to their respective homes.
a single player card and dice game where the legendary hero strives to ascend into godhood.
where the courageous new owner of a magical inn builds their bewitching B&B to best suit an eccentric host of guests, while also cultivating the ivy that's covering the walls.
Now, Entropy is a big old rondel-powered universe-building Eurogame where scientists bend creation to their will as they create a brand new solar system, coax stars to life, and fuel new biomes all towards the ultimate goal of seeding planets with life.

References (from this video)

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Video E9PGKPOeQ-0 Shelfside Event Coverage at 14:22 sentiment: positive

video_pk 104850 · mention_pk 302491

Click to watch at 14:22 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Really cool game.

Cons

Mostly solitaire.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I've never had a worse convention.
This is immersion in your gameplay.
The one ring to rule them all.
It's like Battleship where you have two players on two sides of like a screen and then each one is creating a dungeon for the other player to go through.
I much more love Gen Con than Essence.
Having a tornado. Having a tornado warning at the Gen Con was really interesting.
This is the first time all day where we don't look around and are surrounded by people.

References (from this video)

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Video 1D_QDbqf7Gg Rahdo Runs Through Top List at 19:20 sentiment: positive

video_pk 104297 · mention_pk 300727

Click to watch at 19:20 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

Extremely Positive

Pros

Phenomenal game, so good it was played through twice.
Dual-use cards are implemented exceptionally well.
Always face-up draw pile is a game-changer.
Rich with many interlocking mechanisms.
Potentially a top contender for game of the year.

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Sci-fi jalopy mining operation
Mine

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Players build their deck by acquiring new cards to improve their mining operation and delve deeper into the mine.
dual-use cards — Every card can either be played for its function or discarded to generate 'fuel' to play other cards.
Engine Building — Players upgrade their sci-fi jalopy and operation to go deeper and mine more effectively.
race to end — Players race to be the first to make the most progress and clear out the most corridors to trigger the end of the game.
Set Collection — Players aim to find minerals and bring them back to sell, suggesting a collection aspect.
Visible Draw Pile — The top card of the draw pile is always face-up, providing predictability and strategic planning.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is a worker placement game about the famous Orloj astronomical clock in Prague.
It is a deck building game from CGE all about we are running sci-fi jalopy broken down um mining equipment trying to build the best deck to go deeper and deeper into the mine to find the minerals and bring them back all the way up so we can sell them so we can buy more cards deck builder style to upgrade our operation as we race to be the first to make the most progress and clear out the most corridors and whatnot to trigger the end of the game.
Your draw pile in this deck builder, you always see the next card that is coming. It is always face up.
This was the best game of last year.
I don't like train games. I am so sick and tired of train games.
it totally lives up to the hype.
this game is absurdly expensive.
And um it is also its box is absurdly huge.
The real secret sauce here is the dual use components.

References (from this video)

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Video zJ6Rl_cD7Ek Board Gaymes James Top List at 1:23 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 104154 · mention_pk 300503

Click to watch at 1:23 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

Seems kind of cool.

Cons

Art is cute but also weird; want to demo before buying.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Settlers
Lost Ruins of Arnak

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Described as a deck builder.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is probably my contender for a game of the year kind of thing.
It is a reprint though which feels like cheating.
Very very good game. Highly recommend.
Very light plays real quick.
Gashapon trick is really cool.
This is a really cool game where you actually want to leave gaps in your tile lane because when you leave gaps you're going to put in more pieces that are going to give you scores.
I love Bruno's games.

References (from this video)

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Video pSctuPnSpAY Board Gaming Ramblings Top List at 3:11 sentiment: positive

video_pk 103727 · mention_pk 299541

Click to watch at 3:11 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Gives a strong 'want to play again' feeling
Joyful deck-building experience

Cons

Turns can be pretty lengthy in a two-player game

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — It's been some time since I played a deck builder that gave me like this amount of joy.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

It's been a lot of good games we played this month. I could make like a top 10 team.
The most important thing other than having fun is winning. You know, winning is like it's not really, but it's a thing.
We're in it to win it.
Because we cry a lot while playing this game and with our friends.
It is really group dependent.
I really like spatial puzzles, but I like spatial puzzles which doesn't just feel like randomness.
It's just boring.
It is interesting when you get let down with games you already played because you are sometimes you're very hyped about a new game, but then you're like you have these feelings and experiences of the game and it kind of feels different.
It has a few things in it that I shouldn't like that cooperate cooperation.
This is a word game and I think it worked very very well because it is a language independent.
It was easier than I thought it would be and also more fun.
Drillers just gave me that oh, I want to go again feeling and it's been some time since I played a deck builder that gave me like this amount of joy.
It's really fun uh resource management puzzle all to do the best and score points which I have been kind of good at but then you are getting more and more efficient and winning.
I liked the expansion but I didn't like the expansion.
It has like like cog system that revolves like
It's this and of course it's it's cool with the gimmick of it's actually moving around in the adding to the board.
It is a action selection game with a Mancala style energy revolvement.
It is really nice, especially the four-player version has so much interaction in like a positive and if you don't like interaction in the four-player game there is quite a lot of it, but not not negative take that the like great positive I'm saying positive interaction.
It's been a blast to play it again.

References (from this video)

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Video fWJSIcMMcTw Meeple University Top List at 11:58 sentiment: positive

video_pk 103696 · mention_pk 299446

Click to watch at 11:58 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

metal credit coins

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Described as a new deck-building game.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

In terms of light filler card games, this one is a real standout to me.
It adds this fun bit of tension for a really light little set collecting game.
And adding that shuffle push your luck mechanism to a draft that you've manipulated really really worked well.
It's a good game. Highly recommend it. Very approachable. Even though it has those couple of uh very gamery mechanisms in it, it's very family level friendly. It'll be a perfect filler for people who like heavy down to light games.
They always have great components, great artworks and this is a great engine building.
Yes, this is, you know, this style of game, the arknova ants, terraforming Mars type of game where you've got the giant deck and the major thing you're trying to do is get a big tableau of those and most of them do something immediately and some of them give you ongoings and some end game points.
I always say that's the one of the things that frustrates me about or terraforming Mars is that you are mining the deck for things randomly.

References (from this video)

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Video yljDrbUfzUg Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews Discussion at 5:46 sentiment: neutral

video_pk 101612 · mention_pk 286640

Click to watch at 5:46 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

neutral

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Um kind of a deck buildingish thing.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Sleep is for new dad, I think.
I thought it was really fun. It's very complex, but it was really short.
the shuttle actually worked today uh right away. In fact, it was awesome. and the drivers in cosplay as the Joker eth leisure edition era.
There's a pinball alley where there's just dozens and dozens of pinball machines all the way down. Uh which is awesome. Other way to spend on money.
One of the things I really like about the Mly Kit area is that they have this ticketed craft you could do every day, but they always have free crafts that you can do every day, too.
Everything smells like a spice cabinet.
Um kind of a deck buildingish thing. You got these little mech dudes.
People may not know this, but Chad and I, the two people running all play, love heavy economic and deeply strategic games.
All right, we're about to head into a super secret hidden wrestling match uh for Pandasaurus.
the cutest wrestling dog ever.
he's wrestling the mind. The card game from Panosaurus.
We're about to play Just Sayo, and it has the world's most adorable uh snowman pawn.
Wrestling was insane.
Tomorrow's going to be a doozy, though, cuz it is a little late.

References (from this video)

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Video uvPOwWRidVc Bower's Game Corner Other at 0:31 sentiment: positive

video_pk 100359 · mention_pk 278951

Click to watch at 0:31 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

On neuro.com has the best Kickstarter services on the planet.
That is one of the hottest games of the show right now.
That one looks absolutely insane, sandboxy.
I love it when publishers do this because as soon as that exhibitor hall leaves, you can come up here and you can come out early.
Show them some love. And show CGE some love cuz more rooms like this, please.

References (from this video)

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Video QJWm0r5mB4Y Man vs Meeple Analysis at 1:44 sentiment: positive

video_pk 99393 · mention_pk 276346

Click to watch at 1:44 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

number one game the speaker is looking forward to
has Lost Ruins of Arnak vibes
miniatures look amazing

Cons

cards feel a little clankish

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Lost Ruins of Arnak

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Card Drafting — Using cards that are multi-use.
deck builder — A deck builder that involves multi-use cards.
resource collection — Collecting resources by drilling down.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Gen Con is about the games first and foremost.
This is probably my number one game that I'm looking forward to.
The box is one of the best boxes right now in board games.
This is what looks to be a wildly open world sandbox game.
Everyone was loving it.
So, I think everyone in the industry is looking forward to this thing.
I don't think this is It is just demo cuz I think it's going to be potentially available for pick up at Essen.
It just adds a ton of new cards without complicating the game.
This looks really cool.
Gen Con Saturday night, from 7:00 to 11:00.
Last year was such a good time.
We're not giving away Galactic Cruise Excursions.
Make sure everyone has fun at the table and at our party, and hopefully we'll see you there.

References (from this video)

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Video qck5XpyFit0 Grant Lyon Top List at 3:15 sentiment: positive

video_pk 99386 · mention_pk 276330

Click to watch at 3:15 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Interesting decisions
Multi-use cards lead to tough choices
Push your luck element adds tension

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

deck-building — The game features a deck-building mechanism.
Multi-Use Cards — Cards in the game have multiple uses, leading to difficult decisions for players.
Push Your Luck — There's a push-your-luck element where players can drill too far and become stranded.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Gen Con is upon us. The largest tabletop game convention in all of North America is here.
This video is about the 10 games I am most excited about at Gen Con.
These are all games that you can get for the first time at Gen Con, which is why I'm excited about them and why I think you should check them out.
One of the most underrated mechanisms in board games, I think, is the mechanism I split, you choose.
The Game Makers is a love letter to the board game hobby.
If you like deck building If you like card games, if you like fun, check out Flip Tunes season 2.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video xbKeD7RTJUk Board Gaming Ramblings Review at 0:08 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 99342 · mention_pk 276174

Click to watch at 0:08 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

The board provides a sense of urgency for movement.
The deck building aspect is done in an interesting way.
The balance between what to do on top and moving down to get resources is interesting.
It's cool that cards don't give money directly, but you sell things for money to acquire new cards.
Upgraded cards feel really good and make the player feel more powerful.
New cards going directly on top means you get them next round.
The efficiency puzzle of balancing movement and drilling is engaging.
The luck of the draw doesn't ruin the game because it doesn't last too long.
It gives a feeling of wanting to play again.
Something about it makes it better than the sum of its parts.
Having fun while playing it.
It's a good game.

Cons

Might not be the most innovative deck builder.
The balance between movement and drilling needs to be in the cards.
If you get stuck with bad damage cards and no repair options, it can be hard.
The luck of the draw can screw you over.
There is very little interaction.
The game length at two players is around an hour, which might be too long for some.
With more players, downtime could increase significantly, making it less fun.
Turns can take a lot of time.
Don't care a lot about what the other player is doing during their turn.
Unsure if it's a game you'd want to go back and play again immediately.
Not a fantastic game.

Thematic elements

Drilling into the earth for minerals

Comparison games

Clank
The Castles of Burgundy
Veil of Eternity

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — Players play cards from their hand, shuffle their deck, and draw new cards. Cards primarily provide movement and drill symbols, and fuel is used to power these actions. Cards can also be used to gain fuel.
End game trigger — The game ends when two rows (presumably related to player progression or resource collection) meet.
Engine Building — Players upgrade their capacity, fuel capacity, and repair damaged cards.
market — Players can sell collected minerals at the top to buy new cards or upgrade capacities.
Movement — Players move up and down the mine. Some floors are locked and need to be unlocked. Movement requires fuel.
Negative points — Players receive negative points for being too far down in the mine if they don't get up fast enough, and for starting with or acquiring bad cards.
Resource Management — Players manage fuel for movement and drilling. Minerals are drilled, collected, and sold for money.
Set Collection — Points are awarded for different minerals (emeralds) at the end of the game.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

It is the most innovative thing I've ever seen, but I feel like it does this like deck building aspect in an interesting way.
I feel like that balance is probably the most like interesting thing of the game.
Another thing that is a negative, I would would say. uh it's it it might be bigger or less of a negative depending on who you are is that there is really no interaction.
For me, Drillers is is a good game. I I don't think it's fantastic, but something about it makes it for me better than the sum of its parts.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video NpXAp41FIqk Meeple University Rules Teach at 0:07 sentiment: positive

video_pk 99173 · mention_pk 275929

Click to watch at 0:07 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Can pick up details and icons as you go along.
Gaining credits, fuel, drawing cards, and other effects from playing cards.
Collecting minerals scores points.
Tiles on your progress track are worth points.
Can gain benefits by exhausting tiles on your progress track.
Can upgrade storage size.
Can upgrade fuel gauge size.
Buying new cards to improve deck.

Cons

Starting cards are mediocre and worth negative points.
Some actions cost fuel.
Damage cards are added to the discard pile.
Money declines the more of a mineral has been sold.
Losing points for the floor you finished in if your mech didn't reach the entrance.
Losing points for cards in hand, deck, and discard pile.

Thematic elements

Mining operations for minerals and points
an underground mine

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

action selection — On a turn, players resolve operations, surfacing, and upkeep phases, and within operations, can take any number of actions in any order.
Deck Building — The powers of the mech are represented by the cards in its deck, and players add new cards to their deck to improve capabilities.
market — Players sell minerals for money, and buy new cards from a market.
Push Your Luck — There's a risk of losing points if the mech doesn't reach the entrance by the end of the game, implying a decision to push deeper versus returning safely.
Resource Management — Players manage fuel, movement, and drill gauges, and must consider mineral storage and selling.
Set Collection — Players collect different types of minerals (silver, gold, sapphire, emerald, ruby) which score points.
Tile Placement — Corridors are drilled to release more minerals, and barrier tiles are removed to access new floors.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

And today we're diving into a quick start tutorial for drillers.
In Drillers, players are mining magnates, piloting their own ramshackle equipment down into a common mine in search of riches.
In this deck building battle, players will fight to transport, collect, and sell the best minerals in search of upgrades and points.
Drillers is a deck builder and the powers of your mech are represented by the cards in its deck.
Make your way around the mine and do some digging.
This darkness is starting to get to me. I want to get out of the mine.
You'll get the most of your points from mining, but there's also a race to achieve the best mining milestones.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video aAHZPNQox-I Board Gaymes James Event Coverage at 7:07

video_pk 93429 · mention_pk 252707

Click to watch at 7:07 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Mining

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Action Point Allowance — You can spend three fuel to get a movement point or you can spend four fuel to get a drill. We're going to have you spend your last three uh fuel to get another movement point.
Deck Building — The damage cards are the filler cards in the deck. You don't really want them, but they're not completely useless in their game. They let you draw cards.
market — The only thing you can really spend your money is on the surface. So while you're here, spend your money.
Resource Management — We're going to have you pick up those two minerals that are in there. So, you have a storage down here at the bottom. And right now, all of your drillers have a storage of two. So, you are full right now.
upgrades — You can move your storage up by paying free money. So you just slide it over. You can move your maximum fuel up by paying the next cost on that. So you can either upgrade this, upgrade this, or you can buy carts.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Oh, we got Guardian Club here from Chris Couch Games.
Yes, lots of shiny map rocks.
Uh, it's very light. It's lighter than our neck.
We got poop shuffle as well over here.
We're just putting it out as cards instead.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 5AWQyb-l2B4 Analysis at 21:42 sentiment: positive

video_pk 93396 · mention_pk 252618

Click to watch at 21:42 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Really really fun
Super fun

Cons

Might run long with too many players
Little bit of downtime

Thematic elements

Comparison games

Arnac

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Combo Driven — combo driven
Deck Building — a fantastic deck deck building
Resource Management — and um resources management

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Felt a little bit lackluster in terms of big releases for me.
But you know, if uh there's no one around to Does the forest still shuffle?
This is a game of managing resources, is a game of um uh territorial control and tableau building.
Dexterity games are not ball games.
IV Studios smashed it out of the park with this one.
My main point of contention with Drillers is maybe it might run long with too many players and there is a little bit of downtime in the game when you're waiting.
It's all to play for. It's only half time.
The industry is backloaded. It's like heavily weighted towards the second half of each year.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video 5AWQyb-l2B4 Analysis at 33:48 sentiment: positive

video_pk 93396 · mention_pk 252630

Click to watch at 33:48 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

really fun
amount of freedom

Cons

might run long with too many players
little bit of downtime

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Combo Driven — combo driven
Deck Building — a fantastic deck deck building
Resource Management — resources management

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Felt a little bit lackluster in terms of big releases for me.
But you know, if uh there's no one around to Does the forest still shuffle?
This is a game of managing resources, is a game of um uh territorial control and tableau building.
Dexterity games are not ball games.
IV Studios smashed it out of the park with this one.
My main point of contention with Drillers is maybe it might run long with too many players and there is a little bit of downtime in the game when you're waiting.
It's all to play for. It's only half time.
The industry is backloaded. It's like heavily weighted towards the second half of each year.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video S54FKQH-_sw Tantrum House Top List at 26:38 sentiment: other

video_pk 93044 · mention_pk 250988

Click to watch at 26:38 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

Anticipated

Pros

Hand management mechanic
Reputable publisher (CGE)

Cons

Theme not particularly exciting

Thematic elements

Mechs excavating mines

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Hand Management — The game involves hand management.
Resource Management — Excavating mines likely involves resource management.
Worker Placement — Implied by CGE's typical releases and the nature of assigning mechs.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

All right. Number four, we've got Cano from Mad to Go for two to four players. Takes about 30 minutes to play. I like games about art and this one has that creating Japanese painted scrolls in the game.
but the art is what sort of really drew me in.
you're trying to make patterns when you put them on your board to lay tiles. It did look interesting.
I have Night at the Zoo. This is another tiling game. I love laying tiles.
really interesting it's designed The designer is the same person who did Sagrada and Aquatica, which are heavy Euro games, but this is a lighter tiling game.
I thought it was a fun theme.
So, I'm anticipating Pulitzer from 25th Century Games, and this is an investigative journalist themed game. I was a journalism major in college, so I'm always interested in these themed games.
With strings that you're I don't know exactly how it all it but it just looks really cool and interesting being able to put your strings from the different pieces of evidence you've found. tactile
So, if nothing else, the theme and the components have definitely made me interested in this game.
We've got Lord of the Rings: Circle of Conflict. I should say right off the start, it says this is an Essen release, but I believe they might have a limited copies available at Gen Con, so I'm going to call this a pre-Gen Con pre-release at Gen Con.
My understanding is you're playing against your two neighbors, the players to your left and right. So, each person has a shadow troops and the free peoples army. And so, your shadow troops are playing against your neighbors free people, and your free people is playing against your other neighbors shadow troops.
I believe this is a dice allocation game. So, rolling dice and then using them to do actions and powers and things like that.
Lord of the Rings theme, which is a theme that we really enjoy.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video HvELx7M3AuI Top List at 3:26 sentiment: mixed

video_pk 82709 · mention_pk 207782

Click to watch at 3:26 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

mixed

Pros

Deck-building genre

Cons

Theme is not engaging
Deck-building is a crowded genre

Thematic elements

Players use asymmetrical mechs to explore an abandoned mine trying to find anything valuable left behind that they can extract.
An abandoned mine

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Asymmetrical mechs — players use asymmetrical mechs to explore an abandoned mine
deck-building — Drillers is a deck-building game where players use asymmetrical mechs to explore an abandoned mine.
Resource Management — you'll apparently have to worry about fuel and other challenges as you dig deeper and deeper underground.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

2026 is shaping up to be a disappointing year for new solo games, and really games in general, but that's a topic for another video.
There simply weren't enough games that were clearly marked for sale that I was interested in in order to complete a top 10 list.
I have to say light to medium-weight tile-laying games have become a really crowded genre.
I'll be honest, I just do not care about this theme at all. This game would be so much higher on this list if it had a fun and engaging theme.
I simply just cannot wait to get this one to the table.
This is a Eurogame that both sounds and looks like a ton of fun. That's pretty unusual.
And with a track record of these designers, I'm confident that this one is going to be one of the best games of the year.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Video lHXxqVEo9B4 Board Stupid Discussion at 1:00 sentiment: positive

video_pk 81572 · mention_pk 309790

Click to watch at 1:00 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

snappy play
cool artwork

Cons

none

Thematic elements

mechs digging for gems and materials, upgrading, money
underground digging in the wreckage of a mining corporation
snappy and fast-paced

Comparison games

Arnak

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

card economy / energy — cards can be used to perform actions or spent as fuel/energy to take actions.
Deck Building — players use a deck-building mechanism to perform actions and develop their engines in the underground dig.
Deck Manipulation — the first card of your deck is visible next, guiding planning for the session.
deck visibility — the first card of your deck is visible next, guiding planning for the session.
deck-building — players use a deck-building mechanism to perform actions and develop their engines in the underground dig.
Multi-Use Cards — cards can be used to perform actions or spent as fuel/energy to take actions.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

it's essentially it's going to be a deck building game where you're going to be controlling mechs to dig undergrounds in the wreckage of an old mining corporations trying to get gems, useful materials, upgrade your mech, dig deeper, get more stuff to make that money
Be the biggest driller there is.
Looks super good.
I am dead excited about this as a concept.
watch this space.
I love Caesar anyway.

References (from this video)

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Video d0kYTsQ8Ofk Meeple University Top 10 List at 14:37 sentiment: positive

video_pk 81395 · mention_pk 309358

Click to watch at 14:37 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Engaging mining theme
Medium-heavy euro scope

Cons

none

Thematic elements

drilling deeper for resources
abandoned mine exploration

Comparison games

Barcelona
Arboria
Kutna Hora

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

resource_management — Spending resources to go deeper.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

"This is our anticipated holiday before our anticipated game."
"I'm very excited. Like it's going to be great great great games, I think."
"it's based on the Imperium fantasy book series"

References (from this video)

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Video Aei05cGUV5g Get into games Interview at 1:42:31

video_pk 81312 · mention_pk 309255

Click to watch at 1:42:31 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Strange World Above the Clouds because who doesn't love a cuddle monster?
Temple Code because I was terrible at it and I decided I need to do something about it because I was really embarrassed to play it with other people.
hydrate, bring a bottle of water, refill it.
don't put a lot of pressure on yourself to try and play all of the games. It is impossible.
It's the people, right, that make the show somehow
this whole hobby is about the people we play the games with rather than just the games.

References (from this video)

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Video HTGiav6wl00 The Broken Meeple Analysis at 1:06:18 sentiment: other

video_pk 81114 · mention_pk 309682

Click to watch at 1:06:18 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

Curious

Pros

Theme sounds good
CGE has a good track record

Cons

Stated as best at two players

Thematic elements

Resource extraction
Mining

Comparison games

Deep Rock Galactic

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

action selection — Drilling for stuff, unlocking new actions.
economic — Selling stuff for profit or investing in better tools.
Multi-Use Cards — A multi-use card game.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I want to know what they're doing for the seven to 10 players though. If they're literally just giving you more chips and cards so you Yeah, if if all it is is just they're giving you more chips and saying, 'Now you can play it with 10.' That's rubbish. That's BS, okay? Because the game just fundamentally wouldn't work.
The thing that has me worried though is this 120 to 180 minutes. Is this a game that warrants two to three hours though?
The game is basically just area control cubes. That to me doesn't scream out crazy fun.
Deep Regrets is one of the worst games I've ever played, so screw that for a game of toy soldiers.
I think we've hit that peak of board gaming and now it's mostly a kind of downhill slope for gaming because we've now seen everything that can be kind of done. We're now recycling ideas.
Board games are getting to a point where we are seeing the same stuff all the time and it just means that it's hard to get excited for another convention.
UK Games Expo is mostly just recycling stuff that we've already reviewed at a few months ago in which case I don't need to look at it again.

References (from this video)

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Video XgrT2QezePE Board Gaymes James Discussion at 3:35 sentiment: positive

video_pk 81088 · mention_pk 309225

Click to watch at 3:35 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Will be CGE's major Essen release this year.
Host had a chance to playtest it.
Seems kind of neat.

Cons

Demo only, not out yet.
Host didn't get around to actually playing it.

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

We are 10 days away from UK Games Expo.
And I wanna give you some tips and tricks and show you the 10 games I'm most excited for.
First up, Sashi and Sashi's new railway porters.
This is a collaboration with Fabio Lapiano.
Ghost Live with a huge hit at Spiel.
This was called Fetching Feathers.
I love Plate games.
Who is also a trans designer, and I'm really happy to help support there.
I have decided I'm not gonna buy this one because I bought it already.
Really cool take on trick-taking game where you're gonna be assigning the value to the cards, and the cards don't have a value on them, so you get two different spots there.
This is kind of my wild card.
So that is my little floor planter there, but in addition to what is not on the website is where you can get all the food from over at the NEC.
The UK is pretty much card exclusive most of the places, but at the convention, if you're gonna go into the Bring and Buy, or if you are going to go into some of the Asian stalls, you're going to need some cash.
It's the largest in the UK, and it is possibly, it's either third or fourth largest in the world.
So I needed to bring a fan.
So when you're packing, make sure that you are packing some shorts and some light flowy T-shirts.
I wanna play all of the games with all of you.

References (from this video)

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Video k3IN67A2_NU Allies or Enemies Preview at 7:55

video_pk 81089 · mention_pk 309495

Click to watch at 7:55 · YouTube ↗

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Mining

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

And so I'm really interested in Horrified Ravenloft and I think it's four new monsters and it's still like in a D&D theme and I really like the last D&D Horrified.
So that was a whirlwind tour of a whole bunch of games we're interested in checking out.
And there are so many more games that there are so many games at UKGE. We can't possibly know about all of them so please do let us know about the ones you think we missed the ones you think other folks would be interested in.
So, we will have Shakespeare the card game on sale.
So, this is a really exciting UKGE for us. So, please do come by.

References (from this video)

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Video vJqF8U007ck BoardGameCo Top List at 14:51 sentiment: other

video_pk 81095 · mention_pk 199531

Click to watch at 14:51 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

Optimistic

Pros

Strong deck-building emphasis
Similar progressive element to Lost Ruins of Arnak
Great art and solid presentation
Potential to be a CGE hit

Cons

Questionable how distinct it will feel from other deck-builders
Some CGE games have been forgettable

Thematic elements

Deck-building for mining
Underground mining

Comparison games

Lost Ruins of Arnak

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Deck Building — you're basically building a deck.
progression — as you attempt to mine further and further down, and then get more stuff to build a better deck and mine more and more further down.
track movement — you're going up a temple track, but now you're going down into the earth.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

This is one of those incredible games.
This is a light dice chucking game, but I find it to be so much fun.
It looks absolutely charming.
Potatoes is your currency.
It is incredibly tense.
I thought this was absolutely brilliant.
The experience I got was not the experience I was expecting to get.
I love Dartmouth, I do.
I think expansions improve the experience.
one of the things that's actually funny about this one is if you look at the the the reviews on this, the reviews, one of the negative reviews has me more interested.
I don't care about deck builders.
similar to Lost Ruins of Arnak, one of my favorite games of all time, but with more deck-building, yes, please.
this could be a CGE game that knocks it out of the park.

References (from this video)

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Video 4bZQ-boWjoc Gaming Rules! Discussion at 35:11 sentiment: positive

video_pk 81099 · mention_pk 309570

Click to watch at 35:11 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Would definitely be a game that I'm going to be looking at

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

Cloudspire is one of those games that I would absolutely love to play more of and there are plans for a rematch between me and JP on my birthday week in July.
The Graft is one of the new factions that just came out and it doesn't have a fortress. What it does is it has one piece on the board which moves around and that is their fortress. So, it's actually a mobile piece and it's big amoeba type thing.
That's that's nonsense. Um where things like saving the game, the math, the upkeep is made trivial by the video.
I have Frostpunk the board game. I have Frostpunk the computer game. They're the same game, but they are entirely different experiences.
As much as I love Agemonia, it's a 30-minute setup each time we play because we're having to get all of these things out and these things and these things and these things. And that's just the nature of the game.
No.
Give me a good Uwe Rosenberg game, Feast for Odin. Feast for Odin solo, I love it. It's a beat your own score game, but I I love it.
The reason why it was a bad experience for me is the solo mode for Perseverance is a very good solo mode at recreating what another player would do, but it was so far beyond my comfort level I really struggled.
My favorite game in that category is probably either Tower Up or Ingenious. I might have to give it to Ingenious just because of my personal story with that game and the fact that I can play it with Vicky and her family and things like that.
My copy of Imperium Classics, Imperium Legends, and Imperium Horizons have left my collection.
I love Star Trek Captain's Chair, so there will never ever be a situation where I would prefer to play Imperium compared to Star Trek Captain's Chair.
Assyria second edition, which has only just come out, is my favorite game from Garfield Games.
So, if you're asking honestly for my favorite game from Garfield Games, it has to be Assyria second edition.
The discussion has been had a number of times.
It's not as easy as people think.
65% of people say that polyomino games are a subset of tile laying games.
The secret word is scissors.
As of this morning, we had 1,331 patron supporters.
I will be back tomorrow at 4:00 with a live unboxing of the deluxe version of World Order.
And then on Friday is the public public release of the final video in the Star Trek Captain's Chair series, which is the Pike solo play through.

References (from this video)

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Video C69jLxyl1_s Gaming Rules! Discussion at 16:43 sentiment: neutral

video_pk 80919 · mention_pk 309026

Click to watch at 16:43 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

neutral

Pros

none

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I spent the last 20 years saying that Talisman is one of the worst games ever designed.
The thematic connection of that ability doesn't mean mean anything to me because it was the guy in episode 14 of season 3.
So much theme in every single one of the lines of text.
It is an utterly fantastic game. I love it.
And it was the most tense and epic game that I've ever had with War of the Ring.
The dark forces need 10 points to win, and the free peoples either destroy the ring or they get four points.
The base game alone is still an utterly fantastic game.
It's completely random.
It's a very highly asymmetric game and it's you know, the the way you learn it is here's a rulebook each and you also get your own faction rulebook. You need to read it.

References (from this video)

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Video hs4qFJntJM8 Board Stupid Discussion at 0:55 sentiment: positive

video_pk 80824 · mention_pk 309454

Click to watch at 0:55 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Basically ready and going to be shipped

Cons

none

Thematic elements

Comparison games

none

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

Mechanics unknown.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

There was a a new version of Mexico which is actually part of the Mask trilogy of games. And this new version looks absolutely awesome.
if you like old school Eurogames like I do, go check that out. It's an old school Euro area control game.
It's take Flip Seven, mix it with craps.
The really cool things that they've done, you can play without, but there is an app that actually takes away all the mean math that you normally have to do with Flip Seven, for example.
Ubongo is a cooperative dexterity game and it is the dumbest, most amazing thing. It's so stupid.
This is the perfect pub game.
Ridiculous fun.
Worth a pop for like 15 quid. Great fun. We had a blast with it. Very silly. Very, very fun.
I met Hugo Myatt who played the original Treguard in uh, in Nightmare and uh, my face just absolutely lit up.
the Eden game was can't wait and I couldn't wait can't win, sorry. I couldn't I couldn't wait to go and grab it. It's it's all gone. Sold out. It was sold out literally like 10 minutes after the the show was open.

References (from this video)

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Video eA8Kuwc6mi0 The Broken Meeple Analysis at 1:05:28 sentiment: positive

video_pk 80801 · mention_pk 309647

Click to watch at 1:05:28 · YouTube ↗

Overall sentiment (raw)

positive

Pros

Intriguing mechanics
Good artwork and player boards
Potentially a good midweight game

Cons

Early days, still in development

Thematic elements

Excavating crystals and minerals
Mine

Comparison games

Arnac
Seti

Mechanics (from transcript analysis)

action selection — You spend them for resources.
Deck Building — Little mini deck builder with, you know, sending your mech up and down this uh tunnel here.
Resource Management — Manage your fuel as a resource.
Worker Placement — Sending your mech up and down this tunnel.

Video topics + discussion points

No key topics recorded for this video.

Quotes (from this video)

I do like the fact that it's um don't be the loser and there's no actual winner in a game that I think is quite cool.
And I found this to be like really interesting. Like this was a cool twist on the trick taker.
It's got a German name with Japanese writing on the back. It was kind of weird.
But this just felt too random.
I just felt like it's not really a strategic game. It's just basically the dice are going to dictate what you can do.
I just found it a bit boring and found it underwhelming when everything resolved, you know.
The expo is getting to the point where it's pricing itself out of being worth going.
Remember, it's only a game.

References (from this video)

No references stored for this video.

Drillers

Drillers Review: Bit By Bit

Drillers - Start Playing in 15 Minutes. Concise Board Game Tutorial

Summer Spectacular - Drillers, Cola Wars, Six Sojourns, and The Adventure Store

20+ new games we got recently! - Acquisitions Disorder

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Drillers

Drillers Review: Bit By Bit

Drillers - Start Playing in 15 Minutes. Concise Board Game Tutorial

Summer Spectacular - Drillers, Cola Wars, Six Sojourns, and The Adventure Store

20+ new games we got recently! - Acquisitions Disorder

Images

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